How Can We Help Parents Reduce Liquid-Medication Dosing Errors?

The combination of advanced counseling and a dosing instrument reduced dosing errors by 30%.

Incorrectly administering liquid medications is a common error with children (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Jan 27 2010). In a cross-sectional analysis of data from two urban emergency departments, researchers interviewed 400 parents of children younger than 9 years who received prescriptions for liquid medications.

Parents were questioned about medication counseling — including advanced counseling (teachback, drawings or pictures, demonstrations, or showback) — and whether they received a dosing instrument (oral syringe, measuring cup, or dosing spoon). A personal interview within 8 weeks included an observation of the parent's dosing practice.

Roughly 40% of parents made a dosing error: 80% underdosed and 20% overdosed the prescribed dose. Al…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

How Can We Help Parents Reduce Liquid-Medication Dosing Errors?

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Reviewing Author